We already had all our backpack gear out from our recent trip into the White Clouds, so we consulted the backpacking “want to go” list and started looking at trails in the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon. We found a lesser used trail that would still get us up to some lakes and before long we were on our way.
Here is the video from this adventure:
Our trail was in an area that had burned recently, and the wildflowers were rejuvenated and very prolific as we hiked through the burn.
We found a nice camp overlooking one of the two lakes in the basin.
A pair of beavers served as our entertainment, as the ferried gnawed off willow branches from one side of the lake to the other.
The next day we left camp where it was and went out for a day hike across the pass and down to Aneroid Lake. Wildflowers were plentiful in every direction we looked, streams and mountains set the stage for a nice walk.
Anderoid Lake was crystal clear and full of trout, but there were also lots of other backpackers here.
We enjoyed our visit and headed back to the peace and quiet of our own “personal lakes” for the night, after stopping off for a view of Dollar Lake, one of the higher lakes in Oregon.
We enjoyed another quiet night and watched the sunset behind the mountains. It’s kinda nice to have a high mountain lake all to yourself.
The next day we were up and headed down the trail before it got too hot, enjoying the wildflowers along the way.
Although our hike was over, we spent another night out, not quite wanting to leave the high country and cool air of the mountains. Even though it was a Saturday we were able to find an unoccupied campground right on a lake. How lucky can we get? The sunset was nice, but the colors were enhanced by the smoke that was filling the atmosphere as several large wildfires were burning across Oregon.
The fire season and triple digit temperatures persist, but it was good to have an escape to cool down in the Wallowas, even if it was just for a few days.
